Extensible clothes hanging device

ABSTRACT

There is disclosed an extensible clothes-hanging device which comprises a housing containing therein a number of wound-up clothes lines, spring action being used for winding-up such clothes lines. The respective outer free ends of the clothes lines are retained in a ledge or bracket member, and with the aid of such, all of the clothes lines can be conjointly or simultaneously drawn out or extended from the housing. At least one of the clothes lines can be withdrawn without using the ledge or bracket member, and such last-mentioned clothes line is subjected to the action of an independent return spring.

United States Patent Steiner 1 Mar. 7, 1972 [54] EXTENSIBLE CLOTHES HANGING DEVICE [72] Inventor: Walter Steiner, Oberseenerstrasse 14, Winterthur, Switzerland [22] Filed: Sept. 2, 1969 [21] Appl.No.: 854,689

[58] Field olsearch ..2l1/1.3,168,167,119.1,119.01, 211/119.16, 119.15,119.07, 2, 104, 96; 248/253; 242/100, 100.1, 86.5 A, 107.6

Bolton ..211/119.15 X

1,581,289 4/ 1926 Prihoda ..242/ 100 X 1,818,761 8/1931 Sendler ..211/1.3 2,194,933 3/1940 Fullerton ..42/ 100.1 2,615,582 10/1952 Moe ..2l1/l19.l5

FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 1,194,394 5/1959 France ..242/l07.6 356,249 7/1922 Germany ..242/ 100 290,862 8/ 1953 Switzerland ..21 1/1 19.15

Primary Examiner-Roy D. Frazier Assistant Examiner-Abraham Frankel Attorney-Werner W. Kleeman [57] ABSTRACT There is disclosed an extensible clothes-hanging device which comprises a housing containing therein a number of wound-up clothes lines, spring action being used for winding-up such clothes lines. The respective outer free ends of the clothes lines are retained in a ledge or bracket member, and with the aid of such, all of the clothes lines can be conjointly or simultaneously drawn out or extended from the housing. At least one of the clothes lines can be withdrawn without using the ledge or bracket member, and such last-mentioned clothes line is subjected to the action of an independent return spring.

8 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures PATENTEDMAR H912 SHEET 1 [IF 2 PATENTEUMAR 1 I972 3. 647. 073

sum 2 or 2 "Fig.5

INVBNI'OR I ld/afa'f 2 702? WMJ/M ATTORNEY I EXTENSIBLE CLOTHES HANGING DEVICE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to an improved extensible clothes-hanging device incorporating a housing containing therein a number of extensible wound up clothes lines, the winding-up of which is undertaken byspring action and the free or outer ends of such clothes lines are retained in a ledge or bracket member enabling the clothes lines to be commonly extended or drawn out of the housing.

Generally speaking, it can be stated that extensible clotheshanging devices are already known to the prior art. According to one physical construction, the clothes lines are secured to a ledge member by means of which all of these clothes lines can be simultaneously pulled out. However, one notable drawback of this type of arrangement resides in the inability to accommodate the use of the clothes lines to the existing washing load and, in fact, with this prior art arrangement, when used, all of the clothes lines must be drawn out or extended.

A further known embodiment of clothes-hanging device have the individual clothes lines formed by a continuous cord or cable. Depending upon requirements, two clothes lines can be pulled out with one ledge member or four lines with two ledge members. The continuous cable or cord slides along the ledge members, whereby a certain wear occurs.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, a real need exists for an extensible clothes hanging device which overcomes the aforementioned drawbacks of the prior art constructions. One of the primary objectives of this invention is to provide just such an extensible clothes-hanging device which overcomes these drawbacks and fulfills the existing need.

Another, more specific object of the present invention relates to an improved extensible clothes hanging device in which the need for clothes lines can be much better accommodated to the washing load to be hung on the line or lines.

Yet another significant object of the present invention re-' lates to an improved extensible clothes-hanging device which is relatively simple in construction, economical to manufacture, can be easily used, is not readily subject to malfunction or breakdown, and allows for a more efficient utilization of the existing clothes lines of the device to the prevailing load of wash or clothes to be hung.

Now, in order to implement these and still further objects of the invention, which will become more readily apparent as the description proceeds, the invention contemplates constructing the extensible clothes-hanging device in such a manner that at least one of the clothes lines can be extended or drawn out of the housing without using the ledge or bracket member and said one clothes line is subjected to the action of an independent return spring means.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The invention will be better understood and objects other than those set forth above will become apparent when consideration is given to the following detailed description of preferred inventive embodiments. Such description makes reference to the annexed drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of inventive extensible clothes-hanging device;

FIG. 2 is a front view, partly in vertical section, through the extensible clothes-hanging device depicted in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a front view of a further embodiment of extensible clothes-hanging device; and

FIG. 4 is a top plan view of the clothes-hanging device depicted in FIG. 3 with certain of the clothes-hanging rods pivoted out into an operable position.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Describing now the drawings, in FIG. I, there is shown a first embodiment of inventive extensible clothes-hanging device incorporating a housing I- which can be fastened in any appropriate manner to a wall, rod, or the like, or even can be mounted upon a support surface or floor by means of any suitable fold-out support leg arrangement. Housing 1 is preferably formed of a suitable plastic. At the front side of the housing I, there is arranged a ledge or bracket member 2. Ledge or bracket member 2 will be seen to have a number of spaced bores 3 through which the individual clothes lines 4 can be drawn. Each clothes line 4 is equipped at its outer or free end with an engaging head member or knob 5 facilitating extension or withdrawal of the associated clothes line 4 out of the housing 1. Furthermore, each such head member 5 prevents the associated clothes line 4 from moving out of the bore 3 completely into the housing I. When the clothes lines 4 are not used, then, in a manner which will be explained in greater detail hereinafter, they are wound-up within the housing 1. As such, then only the end of the corresponding clothes line securedto the associated head member 5 will be visible from the outside and bearing against the ledge or bracket member 2.

Now, if this ledge or bracket member 2 is displaced away from the housing 1, then it is possible to simultaneously pull out or extend all of the clothes lines 4 out of the housing I. Then, after the ledge member 2 is fixed at a suitable or desired distance from the housing 1, all of these clothes lines 4, which total. five in number in the arrangement of FIG. 1, will be available for hanging-up clothes, or the like. If the load of clothing to be hung-up is only very small, then, depending upon the need, one, two, or a number of lines 4 can be pulled out of the housing with the aid of the associated head members or knobs 5 and fixed opposite the housing I in any suitable fashion, for instance, by being secured to an oppositely disposed wall surface. In this manner, it is possible to readily accommodate the number of clothes lines which are required to the clothing or wash load.

Continuing in the arrangement shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, it will be seen that beneath the ledge or bracket member 2 and to both sides of the housing 1, there are secured side support or bracket members 6 which can be pivoted outwardly, as best shown by referring to FIG. 1. It will be observed that the front end 7 of each such side support 6 is equipped with a retaining bolt 8. Now, it is possible to support the ledge member 2 upon these side supports 6, wherein at the rear .face of the ledge member 2, there can be provided two openings or bores, not visible in the arrangement of FIG. 1, which will then be matched to receive the bolt members 8. By virtue of this construction, there is provided a further possibility of accommodating the clothes-hanging device to the clothing or wash 7 load, in that such arrangement is specially suitable for hanging small clothing items, such as, underwear, shirts, hosiery, etc. Hence, by utilizing the just considered expedients, it is not necessary to withdraw the ledge member 2 away from the housing until it is at its oppositely situated support surface, such as the opposite wall of the area where the device is erected, but now it is only necessary to pull the ledge member 2 out away from the housing and to suspend it at the ends of the side supports 6. In this way, less space in the working area is used, particularly when the quantity of clothing to be hung is not that great.

Apart from the foregoing structure, it will be observed that the inventive clotheshanging device further includes a rotatable knob 9 which is arranged upon the housing 1, as shown, serving for locking the clothes lines 4, and the function of which will be described in further detail hereinafter. By referring to FIG. 2 now, the construction of the housing I will be more readily understandable. It will be seen that this housing 1 consists of a central portion 10 at both sides of which there are connected the end closure plates or members 11. A shaft member 12 is mounted in the end plates 11 so as to be nonrotatable. A number of drums 13, one drum for each clothes line 4, are rotatably mounted upon the shaft member 12. Each drum member 13 is advantageously provided at one side with a recess 14 for receiving a torsion spring member 15. Torsion spring member 15 is secured at one end to the shaft member 12 and with the other end is connected to associated drum member 13 and arranged in such a way that when the corresponding clothes line 4 is completely wound-up on its associated drum member 13, the latter is retained against nonin tentional rotation by means of a small force, whereas the pull of the spring 15 upon the drum member 13 is greatest when the associated clothes line is extended or drawn out.

The lateral space between each two neighboring clothes lines 4 is insured through the use of a spacer member 16 or equivalent structure. It will further be observed by referring to FIG. 2 that contacting the drum member designated by reference number 13' is an intermediate member 17 and thereafter, there is arranged a sleeve member 18, as shown,

this sleeve member being fixedly seated upon the shaft 12. A screw member 19 is threaded into the sleeve member 18, screw member 19 guiding an eccentric element 20 which is depicted in FIG. 2 with its narrow side. Now, if the handgrip or operating knob 9 is rotated, then the wide side of the eccentric member 20 comes into operation and presses the member 17 and the lengthwise displaceable sleeve member 21 apart. Due to the spreading action of the eccentric member 20, the drums 13 and 13' and the intermediate members 16 and 17 are pressed against the end closure wall 11, so that the drum can no longer rotate. This'fixation or locking possibility must be available in order to prevent the clothes lines from being drawn out further and sinking towards the floor when they are loaded with clothes or wash. Fixing of the drums is also important for the case that the clothes-hanging device, or the like, is used for hanging small clothing articles with the aid of the side supports 6.

Furthermore, it is possible with the inventive arrangement of clothes hanging device to use it in cooperation with the side supports 6 for hanging small clothing articles and, additionally, to enable individual clothes lines 4 to be completely pulled out of the housing, in order to be able to hang up individual larger wash pieces, such as, sheets, blankets, or other articles. In this case, a central fixing of the drums is not desired, and for that reason, there is additionally provided for each individual drum l3 and 13' a fixing or locking means, here shown in the form of a locking cam 22 having teeth means for instance, which can be laterally displaced, so that it engages with teeth means, schematically represented by reference character 30, provided laterally of the associated drums and thereby prevents rotation of such drums. By virtue of this fixing or locking arrangement for each individual drum in conjunction with the central locking arrangement previously considered, it is possible to accommodate the clotheshanging device to each randomly occurring different clothing article or garment which is to be hung.

Now, in FIG. 3 and 4, there is shown a further embodiment of inventive clothes hanging device which, insofar as its internal construction, is similar to the arrangement previously considered during the course of the discussion of FIGS. 1 and 2. However, it will be seen that in the clothes-hanging device of this embodiment'a number of rods or supports 23, 24 and 25 are arranged beneath the ledge or bracket member 2, and at which small clothing or wash articles can be suspended. Due to the provision of these'rods 23, 24 and 25, it is possible to dispense with the necessity of pulling out the clothes lines 4 of the clothes hanging device when it is desired to dry or hang only a few wash or clothing articles. With the arrangement of the mentioned rod members, there is provided an additional accommodation possibility of the clothes-hanging device to the momentarily encountered washing load. The rod members can, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, also be arranged at both sides of the housing. Naturally, it would also be possible to use the side supports 6 of FIG. I as a means for hanging up clothing articles, particularly small clothing articles, without the necessity of pulling out any of the clothes lines.

It should now be apparent from the foregoing detailed description that the objects set forth at the outset to this specification have been successfully achieved.

What is claimed is:

1. An extensible clothes-hanging device, comprising a housing, a number of clothes lines wound-up under spring action which are arranged in said housing, means for winding-up said clothes lines, bracket means, each of said clothes lines having a free end retained at said bracket means, said bracket means being displaceable relative to said housing such that all of said clothes lines can be conjointly drawn out of said housing, said winding-up means including means enabling at least one of said clothes lines to be extended out of said housing without the aid of said bracket means, said enabling means including an independent return spring acting upon said at least one clothes line, and pivotably mounted support means secured to said housing, said support means having free ends capable of supporting said bracket means with said clothes lines.

2. An extensible clothes-hanging device as defined in claim 1, further including a respective independent return spring cooperating with each of said clothes lines so that each said clothes line which can be conjointly drawn out by said bracket means is subjected to the action of its associated return spring.

3. An extensible clothes hanging device as defined in claim 2, further including a plurality of clothes hanging rod members pivotably secured to said housing.

4. An extensible clothes-hanging device as defined in claim 2, wherein said means for winding-up said clothes lines includes a shaft member, a plurality of drum members, corresponding in number to, the number of clothes lines, mounted upon said shaft member, adjustable locking means including an actuation member provided at said housing for fixing said drum members.

5. An extensible clothes-hanging device as defined in claim 1, wherein said locking means includes mechanism for individually locking each drum member upon which is wound its associated clothes line.

6. An extensible clothes-hanging device as defined in claim 5, wherein said locking means includes eccentric means for displacing said drum members in axial direction towards said housing.

7. An extensible clothes-hanging device as defined in claim 5, wherein said mechanism for individually locking each drum member incorporates cam means provided with teeth means, further teeth means provided at the region of the periphery of each drum member, said teeth means of said cam means being displaceable into operable engagement with said further teeth means in order to prevent rotation of the associated drum member.

8. An extensible clothes-hanging device, comprising a housing, a number of clothes lines wound-up under spring action which are arranged in said housing, means for winding-up said clothes lines, bracket means, each of said clothes lines having a free end retained at said bracket means, said bracket means being displaceable relative to said housing such that all of said clothes lines can be conjointly drawn out of said housing, said winding-up means including means enabling at least one of said clothes lines to be extended out of said housing without the aid of said bracket means, said enabling means including an independent return spring acting upon said at least one clothes line, said means for winding-up said clothes lines further including a shaft member, a plurality of spring-loaded drum members, corresponding in number to the number of clothes lines, mounted upon said shaft member, locking means including an actuation member provided at said housing for fixing said drum members, said locking means incorporating mechanism for individually locking each drum member upon which is wound its associated clothes line and eccentric means for displacing said drum members in axial direction towards said housing for collectively locking all of said drum members, and at least one pair of pivotably mounted support means secured to said housing and capable of hanging clothes thereat, said support means having free ends capable of supporting said bracket means with said clothes lines. 

1. An extensible clothes-hanging device, comprising a housing, a number of clothes lines wound-up under spring action which are arranged in said housing, means for winding-up said clothes lines, bracket means, each of said clothes lines having a free end retained at said bracket means, said bracket means being displaceable relative to said housing such that all of said clothes lines can be conjointly drawn out of said housing, said winding-up means including means enabling at least one of said clothes lines to be extended out of said housing without the aid of said bracket means, said enabling means including an independent return spring acting upon said at least one clothes line, and pivotably mounted support means secured to said housing, said support means having free ends capable of supporting said bracket means with said clothes lines.
 2. An extensible clothes-hanging device as defined in claim 1, further including a respective independent return spring cooperating with each of said clothes lines so that each said clothes line which can be conjointly drawn out by said bracket means is subjected to the action of its associated return spring.
 3. An extensible clothes hanging device as defined in claim 2, further including a plurality of clothes hanging rod members pivotably secured to said housing.
 4. An extensible clothes-hanging device as defined in claim 2, wherein said means for winding-up said clothes lines includes a shaft member, a plurality of drum members, corresponding in number to the number of clothes lines, mounted upon said shaft member, adjustable locking means including an actuation member provided at said housing for fixing said drum members.
 5. An extensible clothes-hanging device as defined in claim 1, wherein said locking means includes mechanism for individually locking each drum member upon which is wound its associated clothes line.
 6. An extensible clothes-hanging device as defined in claim 5, wherein said locking means includes eccentric means for displacing said drum members in axial Direction towards said housing.
 7. An extensible clothes-hanging device as defined in claim 5, wherein said mechanism for individually locking each drum member incorporates cam means provided with teeth means, further teeth means provided at the region of the periphery of each drum member, said teeth means of said cam means being displaceable into operable engagement with said further teeth means in order to prevent rotation of the associated drum member.
 8. An extensible clothes-hanging device, comprising a housing, a number of clothes lines wound-up under spring action which are arranged in said housing, means for winding-up said clothes lines, bracket means, each of said clothes lines having a free end retained at said bracket means, said bracket means being displaceable relative to said housing such that all of said clothes lines can be conjointly drawn out of said housing, said winding-up means including means enabling at least one of said clothes lines to be extended out of said housing without the aid of said bracket means, said enabling means including an independent return spring acting upon said at least one clothes line, said means for winding-up said clothes lines further including a shaft member, a plurality of spring-loaded drum members, corresponding in number to the number of clothes lines, mounted upon said shaft member, locking means including an actuation member provided at said housing for fixing said drum members, said locking means incorporating mechanism for individually locking each drum member upon which is wound its associated clothes line and eccentric means for displacing said drum members in axial direction towards said housing for collectively locking all of said drum members, and at least one pair of pivotably mounted support means secured to said housing and capable of hanging clothes thereat, said support means having free ends capable of supporting said bracket means with said clothes lines. 